Wayne Rooney found himself at the centre of controversy after his passionate celebration during Manchester United's nail-biting FA Cup semi-final win against Coventry City. The former England captain, now a pundit, was caught on camera wildly celebrating United's penalty shootout victory, sparking backlash from fans who deemed it disrespectful towards Coventry's valiant effort.
Rooney's Emotional Reaction
As Rasmus Højlund slotted home the decisive penalty at Wembley, securing United's place in the final, Rooney leapt from his seat in the BBC studio with unrestrained joy. The 38-year-old, who won multiple trophies with United during his playing days, appeared to momentarily forget his neutral broadcasting role as he punched the air in celebration.
Fan Backlash
Viewers quickly took to social media to criticise Rooney's actions, with many arguing it showed a lack of professionalism and respect for Coventry's remarkable comeback from 3-0 down to force extra time. One fan tweeted: "Rooney celebrating like that when Coventry gave everything is just poor form." Another added: "Not a good look for a pundit to be so blatantly biased."
The Dramatic Semi-Final
The match itself was a rollercoaster, with United seemingly cruising at 3-0 up before Coventry staged an incredible late fightback. The Championship side scored three times in the final 20 minutes, including a 95th-minute equaliser, before eventually losing 4-2 on penalties. Rooney's celebration came after United survived this scare to set up a final against Manchester City.
Professionalism Questioned
The incident has raised questions about pundits maintaining impartiality, particularly when covering their former clubs. While some defended Rooney's passion, others suggested it undermined his credibility as an analyst. This isn't the first time a pundit's celebrations have caused debate, with Gary Neville previously facing similar criticism during Manchester United matches.
